Apparatus for mounting gems



July 21 1925. S. TOY

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING GEMS Filed April 17, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w A H Inventor 541111141 329' (I 6 "O I: :9 411mm July 21 1925. 1,546,814

S. TOY

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING GEMS Filed April 17, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 25' 57 a,, 42 r 40 f k I? 1 g: Evian/$0 1 flwlmwfigy I 13 \L. y V

6 I u I a Wianuey Patented July 21, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL TOY, F BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING GEMS.

Application filed April 17, 1923. Serial No. 632,795.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, S. MUEL Tor, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk, Commonwealth of Massa- 6 chusetts, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Apparatus for Mounting Gems, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention involves an im- .10 provement in gem setting and the like and more particularly to a novel method of and apparatus for mounting agem or the like in a pronged jewelry setting.

There are at present various types of such pronged mountings used in a variety of articles of jewelry and these different types are in turn formed in a variety of shapes to receive stones of different contours and cuttings, some of which are symmetrical and some of which are unsymmetrical. Various attempts have been made to improve the method and means for mounting said stones in such settings, but such have usually involved radial pressure which has had a tendency to crack or crush the stone or else was not adapted or adaptable to different styles, shapes and sizes. v

In accordance with my invention I proceed upon a different principle which in brief consists in forming for any desired commercial setting an arbitrary seat of predetermined contour, in placing the stone on such a seat and in then turning in the prong tips above the seat simultaneously and con- 3 tinuously by a gradual pressure applied substantially vertically of the prongs, but so as to get a resultant progressively eilective in planes of a corresponding diminishing contour.

As illustrative of my invention 1 will show herein somewhat diagrammatically my method of setting and will also show the tool which I have found well adapted to its purpose and one capable of such production as would enable it to be available to the average jeweler. Throughout the specification and drawings like reference characters are employed to indicate corresponding parts, and in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofa tool in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 an end View of the same. Fig. 3 a View inplan. Fig. 4 an enlarged side view partly broken and partly in section.

Fig. 4H a detail view of the seat former and holder.

Fig. 5 a view holder- Fig. 6 a face view of such a closer.

Fig. 7 a detail of the prong spreader.

Figs. 8 and 9 diagrammatically illustrate a prong setting before and after the. seat forming operation.

Fig. 8 diagrammatically illustrates three steps in the seat forming operation.

Figs. 10 and 12 are face views of modified forms of prong closers.

Figs. 11 and 13 sectional views, on lines 1111 of Fig. 10 and 1313 of Fig. 12, respectively,of the same. I

Fig. 1a is a diagrammatic illustration of the closing operation, and

Fig. 15 a further diagramrnaticv illustration of the relation of the seat formingand closing operations by a comparison of their devices.

in considering my invention it should first be understood that in its usual application it deals ordinarily with a symmetrical prong mounting of one of the well known types, as for example, such as is illustrated in Fig. 8. 7 Such a mounting M has its prongs P extending generally in the direction of its longitudinal diameter. The prongs P are capable of being bentand usually have to be more or less bent for stones of interof the prong closer and its fill mediate size and frequently have to be trued 7 up in the case of symmetrical settings in order to restore symmetry which has been lost through accidental bending.

in accordance with my invention I form on the inner faces of these prongs P seats S. This is preferably accomplished by a seat forming tool 1. This is also preferably a rotary tool comprising for the case shown a conical point terminating in a cylindrical. base and is in its general character in the nature of a linetooth cutter or burr, although it also preferably has a slight spining action by which the prongs P are ex panded slightly if necessary.

The diameter of the cylindrical portion of the tool 1 as well also as the angularity of its'conical portion is sized on average sizes of gem stones or their artificial imitations so that the seat S is given not only the proper diameter but the proper flare so as to receive with as accurate a fit as possible, some facet against which the adjacent prong may gain substantial bearing. Incidentally with symmetrically cut stones there would be substantial uniformity.

The first operation in accordance with my invention is therefore the formation of a seat of predetermined configuration when considered in the transverse plane. The supplementary step may perhaps best be considered in its broader aspects with refs erence to Fig. let. Here I have indicated a gem G, a prong P of the setting and in full lines a partial section of a prong closer 2. The actual face view of this prong closure is seen in Eig. 6 in which case it is a simple conical concavity which has the following relation to the seat former 1-. Y

Referring'to Fig. 15, it will be seen that the seat former 1 if considered for example, in the plane which constitutes the base of its conical portion, has a circular configuration of a diameter which finds its corrcspending diameter in the plane 3 at the left of Fig. 1". In this figure, the closing device is diagrammatically illustrated at 2- in what would be a central section, at the left of the view, while at the. right of the view the lines 00a2 are projected through the corresponding face view.

The prong closer 2 therefore maybe considered as being made up of a surface or surfaces which would show in a series of horizontal cross sections the configuration of the predetermined seat in a diminishing series. In the simple form illustrated in Fig. (3 which is a conic, the contour of the action is circular. In the form shown in Fig. 10, which is really in effect an octahedral, the sections are correspondingly octagonal. In the form of Fig. 12, which might be considered as the curvilinear equivalent of the same, the sections are generally oval.

It will therefore be understood that the inner face of the concave prong closure may consist of planes'of curved surfaces, it only necessary that there be a substantial preservation of the configuration ofsuccessire sections and the successive diminution in their area.

Returning to Fig. 1 1 it willbe seenthat if the prong P ispropcrly supported with the gem G on its seat S and the closer 2 be auvanced in the vertical axis of the same, the prong tips P over to a position P shown in dotted lines in which they are laid firmly against any adjacent portions or facets ofthe gem G and all'withont any direct transverse radial pressure.

The apparatus illustrated herein is especially designed for a jeweleror smaller shops and is at once convenient and efficient. It. comprises a head 10 having an upper member 11 anda lower member 12 which is .urried up to form an outwardly prowill be gradually turned the frame when the tool is rested on the bench.

Mounted on an extension of the portion 12 are a pair of clamping jaws 17 tightened by a milled head screw 18. The jaws 17 are mounted on the stem of the screw 18 and are adapted to receive any setting, as for example, the ring R while being acted on by the seat former 1.

On the jaws 13 whichconstitute an expansion holder for the ring R or similar device, is a stop 19 adjusted by a screw 20 turned by amilled nut 21. Throughboth jaws I form a vertical opening, as 28, in which any shank, as of an ear ring, may be passed while the article is thus supported.

Inthe upper extension 11 at the top of the frame 10, I mount a threaded spindle guide 22 which is tapped through the frame 11 and turned by a milled head J3. sVithin this is a spindle 24L which may be rotated by a hand wheel 25. "t its lower end the spindle 2 1 has a chuck 26 within which anyone of a series of detachable and replaceable seat' formers 1 may be held. Through the frame 11 a bushing 30 within which is guided a slide 31' havinga head 32 and normally sustained a spring The slide 31 has threaded to its lower end a socket 34f constituting a part of a detachable and replaceable prong closer 2. As before explained, these prong closers are rc cessed members of special interior surface and related'to the seat former 1 as regards its configuration on certain planes.

In the form shown I provide the'head 10 with a handle 40 and pivoted thereto at 41 I provide a finger lever 42 having a bent end 43 adapted to bear on the head 32 of the slide 31. In using the tool to make a simple conventional settingas for example, in a ring R, the ring is clamped between the jaws 17, see Figs. and 4e, inproper alinement to the spindle 24. and rotated'by the hand wheel 25 to form the seat S as illustrated'in Fig. 8 is suggested above, sometimes one prong of a setting will be bent out of place or the prongs will require a little more spread. I provide in convenient position on the lower frame 12 a detachable removable spreader 27 over which the prongs may be pressed to secure a preliminary spread, as indicated'in Fig. 7. This spreader consists of a simple plug, the shank of which is simply received within a hole in the member 12 (see Fig. 4), the frictional engagament of the spreader shank with the wall of the hole being su'nci'ent to-fix the closer.

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feeler is in the center oi the stone. This feeler 35 is a very small spring pressed pin l'll'OJQCtlHg 1n the vertical axis of the prong spring 33 and not only serves as a guide in centering the. stone but holds the stone in its seat while the closer is descending upon the prongs. Before the closer is actually brought into contactwith the prongs the jaws l3 and 1d are expanded by rotation of the milled base 16 to firmly hold the ring in position. The operating handle 12 is now pulled to bring the closer down over the jaws. in order to prevent the closer from traveling too far down I provide under the operating end-dtl oi" the linger lever 12 a stop screw which'has a thumb nut 51 having a scale edge (see Fig. 4) which can be turned with reference to a pointer v53 so that just the amount of closing may be ellected. In accordance with my method and with such a device, stones may be set or reset very rapidly and very securely and with a :very small amount of breakage.

Various modification 1n mechanism and certain modifications in the method may be made all. without depar'ing from the spirit 0t my invention and within the limits of the appended claims are to be each considered as apart of my invention as fully as they would it herein described in detail.

lVhat l theretore claim and desire to se cure by Letters Patent is: i

1. in a gem mounting device for pronged settings, a seat former cl predetermined con figuration in a plane transversely thereof and a recessed reciprocable prong closer havinp, its interior alls continuously inclined and including); successive planes transve .ly of it, the said predetermined contiguration or the seat former and nieans for supporting a pronged setting with its seat coaicially of the recess of the prong closer.

2. in a gem mounting; device for pronged settings, a detachable, replaceable seat former of predetermined configuration in a plane transversely thereof and a detachable replaceable recessed reciprocable prong closer having, its interior walls continuously inclined and including in successive planes transversely of it, the said predetermined configuration of the seat former and means for supporting a pronged setting with its seat coaxially of the recess of the prong closer.

3. In a gem n'loun'ting device for pronged jewelry settings, a seat former operative to produce a predetermined seat configurw tion in a plane transversely of the vertical axis of the setting and a recessed 'recipro It is held down by a very light cable prong closer having; its interior'walls continuously inclined and including in sec cessive planes transversely oil it the said predetermined configuration oli the seat former in diminishing relation and means for sup porting a pronged setting with its coaxially of the recess of the prong closer.

4. An instrument for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings. consisting of a head, a rotatable spindleniounted therein,

an oppositely disposed clamp substantially ahned therewith, means for rotating and, on the end 7 feeding; the spindle, a tool chuck of said spindle, a rcciprocable slide carried by one inen'iber and opertaively disposed for movement towards the. other member, a support on said other member in substantialv alinement with said slide and a detachable replaceable forming device mounted on the end of said slide and having; a recess in its lower face of predetermined configuration and having; an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly liar-in at an to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion or each prong of a prcdete' mined, prouged jewelry setting.

5. An instrument for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting ot a head comprising a pair of bracket meni bers, a rotatable spindle mounted in one member and having an oppositely disposed clamp mounted the other and substantially alined therewith, means for 1O"rtl11 and feedi (z; the spindle, a tool chuck; on the end of said spindle, a reciprocable slide carried by one member and operatively disposed for movementtowards the other member, an en- .ternally expanding clamp disposed on said other member in substantial alinement with said slide and a detachable replaceable lornr ing device mounted on the end of said slid and having a recess in its lower face of pre determined configuration and having, an in clined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each k jewelry setting.

6. A hand tool for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting of a. head comprising a pair of bracket members, a handle thereon, a rotatable spindle mounted in one member and having an oppositely disposed clamp mounted in the other and substantially alined therewith, means for rotating and feeding the spindle, a tool chuck on the end of said spindle, a'reciprocable slide carried by one member and operatively disposed for movement towards prong of a predetermined prong'ed and a detachable replaceable forming device mounted on the end of said slide and having a recess in its lower face of predetermined configuration and having an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each prong of a predetermined pronged jewelry setting.

7. A hand tool for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting of a head comprising a pair of bracket members, an adjustable foot therefor, a handle thereon, a rotatable spindle mounted in one member and having an oppositely disposed clan'ip mounted in the other and substan tially alined therewith, means for rotating and feeding the spindle, a tool chuck on the end of said spindle, a reciprocable slide carried by one member and operatively disposed for movement towards the other member, a cooperating lever member pivoted to said head and having one end engaging said slide and the other in linger engaging relation to said handle, an adjustable stop for said lever, an externally expanding clamp disposed on said head in substantial alinement with said slide and a detachable replaceable forming device mounted on the end of said slide and having a recess in its lower face of predetermined configuration and having an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each prong of a predetermined pronged jewelry setting.

S. A hand tool for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting of a head, a. rotatable spindle mounted thereon and an oppositely disposed clamp substantially alined therewith, means for rotating and feeding the spindle, a tool chuck on the end of said spindle, a second clam-p, a reciprocable slide carried by the head and operatively disposed for movement thereto, means for reciprocating the slide, an ad'- justable stop for said reciprocating means and a detachable replaceable forming device mounted on the end of said slide and having a recess in its lower face of predetermined configuration and having an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each.

9. A hand tool for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting of a head comprising a' rotatable seat former of predetermined form, a jewelry mount support substantially alined therewith, means for rotating and feeding the seat former, a re ciprocable slide carried by one member and operativelydisposed for movement towards the other member, and a forming device having a recess in its lower face of predetermined configuration with respect to said seat former and having an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each prong of a predetermined pronged jewelry setting.

10. Ahand tool for mounting gems or the like in pronged settings consisting of a head con'iprising a rotatable detachable and replaceable seat former of predetermined form, a jewelry mount support substantially alined therewith, means for rotating and feeding the seat former, a reciprocable slide carried by one member and operatively disposed for movement towards the other member, and a detachable replaceable forming device having a recess in its :lower face of predetermined confi uration with respect to said seat former and having an inclined inner surface outwardly and downwardly flaring at an angle to the vertical through the gem receiving seat portion of each prong of a predetermined pronged jewelry setting. I

In testimony whereof I ZLl'llX my signature.

SAMUEL TOY. 

